UMUC Asia to Host Four Commencement Ceremonies this Spring

University of Maryland University College (UMUC) Asia will celebrate student accomplishment with a formal commencement ceremony in each of its four regions.

Students who either completed their associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degrees during the summer, fall, or winter of 2017 or in spring 2018 were invited to participate. The ceremonies will honor more than 700 servicemembers, dependents, veterans, and civilians, and will recognize the years of work that went into the completion of each degree.

April 7: Mainland Japan
The Japan Commencement ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. at the New Sanno Hotel in Tokyo, Japan. The ceremony will include a keynote address by Col. Kenneth E. Moss, commander of the 374th Airlift Wing at Yokota Air Base, Japan. Co. Moss is responsible for the management, training, command, and control of the only Department of Defense airlift wing in the Pacific theater. As the Western Pacific airlift hub, Yokota Air Base provides mission-ready forces and base operating support to guarantee U.S. forward presence and crisis response.

Additionally, the Stanley J. Drazek Teaching Excellence Award will be presented to Professor Cord Scott and Professor Rick Martin during the ceremony.

April 14: Okinawa
The Okinawa Commencement ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. at Yomitan Cultural Center, Yomitan, Okinawa. The ceremony will include a keynote address by Col. Tony S. Lombardo, commander of the 18th Maintenance Group at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Col. Lombardo has held aircraft maintenance and logistics positions with the United States Air Force in Europe, Air Combat Command, Pacific Air Force, Air Force Material Command, Air Education and Training Command and the United States Special Operations Command. He is qualified in three Air Force Specialty Codes—Aircraft Maintenance, Logistics Readiness, and Regional Affairs Strategist. His primary aircraft maintenance experience is on F-16s, the F-15C, F-15Es, HH 60s, FB-111s, the MQ-1, and MQ-9s. His duties have taken him on numerous worldwide deployments in support of NATO, Sec Def, POTUS, and Operations Southern Watch, Northern Watch, Northern Guardian, Odyssey Dawn, Enduring Freedom, Resolute Support, and Freedom Sentinel.

April 21: Korea
The Korea Commencement ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. at Seoul American High School Auditorium, USAG Yongsan, Seoul, Korea. The ceremony will include a keynote address by Command Sgt. Maj. Steven L. Payton, of United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, United States Forces Korea.

May 12: Guam
The Guam Commencement ceremony will be held at 11:30 a.m. at Hilton Guam Resort & Spa, Tumon, Guam. The ceremony will include a keynote address by Rushern L. Baker, III, county executive for Prince George’s County, Maryland. Baker started his political career in the Maryland House of Delegates in 1994. Since his election to county executive in 2010, Mr. Baker has worked closely with other state and regional leaders to pursue positive change, focusing on creating jobs, growing the economy, and improving public safety and education in the county. Throughout his career, Baker has earned a reputation for being a consensus builder, an honest professional, and a tough, well-respected leader.